Kuchh Ankahi Baatein

Tedi Ungli

It was almost the end of the first year. Exams were fast approaching, along with the festival of Holi—the perfect occasion to celebrate together. This time, the plan was to celebrate Holi a day in advance on the college campus, since meeting freely on the actual festival day wouldn't be possible due to family commitments.

Meanwhile, the boys' gang had gathered separately on the ground, deeply engaged in making their own plans and preparations.

Sameer leaned back, a dreamy smile on his face. : yaar, zindagi mein pehli baar mujhe Holi ki itani excitement ho rahi hai ..pehli baar sab dosto ke saath manauga....aur Naina ke saath bhi... sabse pehle rang toh use mein hi lagaunga..

Rohan laughed, shaking his head : Haan aur mujhe toh puchh hi mat... Dadi ko toh iss festival se hi itani chid hai ki kya kahun... unka bas chalta toh ghar ke baahar taala hi laga deti taaki na koi aaye aur na hi koi rang khele... unki wajah se sirf ek tika laga kar Holi khelni padti thi... 

He paused, smiling to himself, "Iss baar toh Preeti bhi hai..."

Munna grinned mischievously, "haan aur mein bhi Swati ko achchhe se rang lagaunga... school mein to darr ke maare koshish bhi nahin kar paya.... Pata lagta joote maar rahi hoti ..."

But amidst all the chatter, Pandit was unusually quiet, lost in his own thoughts. Everyone noticed.

Rohan nudged him, "oye Pandit... aaj itna chup kyun hai... bhukh lag rahi hai kya"

Munna smirked, "ya phir is baar kisi khaas ko rang lagane ka sapna dekh raha hai...?"

Sameer raised an eyebrow, teasingly, "kya baat hai... kuch toh chal raha hai dimaag mein... bata bhi de..."

Pandit finally looked at them... but instead of laughing, there was something serious in his eyes,  "yaar... tum logon ke liye Holi shayad sirf masti hai... par mere liye... iss baar thodi alag hai..."

The laughter slowly faded... as all of them looked at him, curious to know what he meant.

Sameer lightly patted his head, bringing him back to his senses. Pandit looked at everyone around him with a strange expression, and the rest burst into laughter seeing his dazed reaction.

Sameer slipped his arm around his neck and asked teasingly, "ab batayega kya hua...? Priya ki yaad aa rahi hai kya?"

Pandit was shocked hearing this and replied shyly, "tujhe kaise pata... maine toh aaj tak kisi ko nahin bataya"...

The trio immediately pulled him into a group hug, laughing. Sameer smiled and said, "arey bewkoof tere chehre par likha hai.... chal achchha hai Holi par usse propose kar dena... aur apne rang mein rang lena"

Hearing this, everyone got even more excited, and soon they all started brainstorming ideas—coming up with the most creative and fun ways for Pandit to propose Priya on Holi.

The girls' group sat together in the classroom, equally excited, busy making their own plans for Holi.

Swati, "arey yaar mujhe toh bada maja aayega iss baar college mein Holi khelenge... pehli baar Munna ke saath... matlab who aur mein" she got shy thinking of her first Holi with her lover...

Priya : haan yaar... mere ghar par toh mein bore hi ho jaati hun.... Bas Mummy Papa ke saath kya maja... is baar doston ke saath khoob enjoy karungi....

Preeti : sach mein yaar, ghar par toh vaise bhi Taiji dhang se khelne nahin deti toh phir college hi sahi... kam se kam yahaan khul kar masti toh karnege... kyun Naina tera kya kehna hai... tu itni chup kyun hai...

Naina looked at them and replied softly but firmly, "please yaar... dekho mujhe force mat karna, tumhein meri kasam... kyunki main kal college nahin aaungi..."